AirVenture Museum Latest News

Wings on Strings Kite Festival June 19, 2010- The 9th annual Wings on Strings Kite Festival once again had wonderful weather, great breezes and enthusiastic crowds. Two new giant kites, a mega octopus measuring a whopping 140 feet and a bright multicolored 100 foot manta ray, filled the skies over Pioneer Airport, joining the other giant kites of Yves LaForest of Montreal, Canada. The mass launch of kites at 11:30 set a record with close to 300 kites put in the air at the same time. Children under age 12 also had a chance to participate in the “Kid’s Mad Dash” mid afternoon. The first one hundred children are given a free kite donated by Gift of Wings, one of the co-sponsors of the event. Throughout the day various professional kite performers delighted the crowds with their aerial tricks and precision flying. One of the highlights of the day is the performance of the Chicago Fire Kite Team. They amaze and astonish the crowd with all of their tricks, formation flying and performance to music. For more photos of the event go to: www.eaa.org/photos
Little Wings, Big Dreams: Sport Aviation in Miniature March 20, 2010-The museum’s newest exhibit, “Little Wings...Big Dreams, Sport Aviation in Miniature” opened March 20 in the Gilbert H. Hansen Photography Gallery. This exhibit showcases the remarkable skills and imagination of model aircraft builders of various disciplines, including radio control, free-flight, control line and static models. Many EAA members began their interest in aviation by creating model planes. Through the years, that interest grew into aviation careers and fascination with full size aircraft. Several members have loaned their models to this exhibit, since they are still active modelers and enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for their hobby with others. For a sampling of the model show check out the photo gallery on the EAA website http://www.eaa.org/photos/
2010 Family Flight Fest March 20 & 21, 2010- The fifth annual Family Flight Fest attracted several hundred visitors the weekend of March 20th and 21st. Families had the opportunity to engage in multiple activities, including flight simulators, paper airplane contests and stamp scavenger hunts. The perennial favorite activity- Houston We May Have an Omelet once again returned to the event. Parents and children partnered to make the best reentry vehicle for their “eggstronaunt”. Throughout the day R/C flyers shared their knowledge and tips with the crowds in the Founders Wing. Guests were also treated to flying demonstrations of rubber-powered model airplanes, radio-controlled models and a huge flying blimp in the Eagle Hangar throughout the two day event. Visitors were also able to view the brand new modeling exhibit “Little Wings, Big Dreams” Sport Aviation in Miniature in the Gilbert H. Hansen Photography Gallery. Modelers were located nearby the exhibit to showcase their personal displays and talk with visitors about their hobby and the skills necessary to construct the various types of models.
Ski Plane Fly-In January 23, 2010- While cloudy and windy weather conditions that prevented ski planes from flying into the Pioneer Airport, the annual event was well attended. Close to 200 aviation enthusiasts arrived to enjoy the luncheon of chili, soup and breadsticks, chat and engage in a little hangar flying. The group was also able to enjoy birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of EAA’s matriarch, Audrey Poberezny.